Redbirds notes: Pitcher Tyler Lyons called up to St. Louis and pitcher Zach Petrick summoned to Memphis

The St. Louis Cardinals dipped into their deep Triple A pitching stash once again Sunday, calling up Memphis Redbirds starter Tyler Lyons.

Lyons, a 26-year-old left-hander who was 2-0 with a 3.32 earned run average in three starts with the Redbirds this season, will start for the Cardinals against the New York Mets at 7:10 p.m. Monday in New York.

The departure of Lyons clears a spot on the Redbirds' roster for another young Cardinals pitching prospect in Zach Petrick. The 24-year-old right-hander was dominant in three starts for Double A Springfield, going 2-0 with a 0.48 ERA.

Petrick will start for the Redbirds against the Oklahoma City RedHawks at 7:05 p.m. Monday at AutoZone Park.

Lyons is the third Redbirds pitcher to be called up to St. Louis this season. Relievers Jorge Rondon and Eric Fornataro were promoted to the major leagues last week.

Grichuk to receive Gold Glove

The recognition for the Redbirds' star-studded outfield will continue Tuesday as Randal Grichuk accepts one of the most prestigious defensive awards a minor league player can receive.

Grichuk was one of only nine players selected from all of minor league baseball to receive a Rawlings Gold Glove Award for his outfield play during the 2013 season. The huge trophy, which is modeled after the ones presented each year to players in the Major Leagues, will be presented during a ceremony before Tuesday's 11 a.m. game between the Redbirds and the Oklahoma City RedHawks at AutoZone Park.

Grichuk played centerfield and right field last season for the Arkansas Travelers, a Double A affiliate for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He compiled a fielding percentage of .993 with 11 outfield assists and only two errors in 118 games.

The Angels traded Grichuk to St. Louis during the offseason, along with outfielder Peter Bourjos, for third baseman David Freese. Grichuk has a perfect fielding percentage through 15 games with the Redbirds this season.

He's part of an outfield mix for the Redbirds that includes the Cardinals top overall prospect Oscar Taveras and Stephen Piscotty, who was voted "Best Outfield Arm" in the Cards' organization in 2012. The lineup also includes Joey Butler, who is among the Pacific Coast League's leading hitters with a .419 batting average.

NLCS rings to be awarded Monday

Though it isn't clear which members of the Memphis Redbirds organization will be receiving them, the St. Louis Cardinals are expected to hand out National League Championship Series rings before Monday's 7:05 p.m. game between the Redbirds and Oklahoma City.

The Cardinals defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in six games during last year's NLCS before eventually falling in six games against the Boston Red Sox in the World Series.

Several former Redbirds played key roles in the Cards' championship run, including pitcher Michael Wacha and second baseman Kolten Wong.

OKC manager missing Redbirds series

Oklahoma City manager Tony DeFrancesco has been absent from this week's four-game series with the Memphis Redbirds as he battles cancer that was diagnosed earlier this spring.

If all goes well, DeFrancesco, who turns 51 Thursday, could be back next month.

DeFrancesco, who has been one of the most successful managers in minor league baseball the past two decades, was set to begin his fourth season with Oklahoma City when he received the diagnosis. He led the RedHawks to a PCL-best 82-62 record last year, winning the American Southern Division title before losing to Omaha in the opening round of the playoffs.

Former Major League player Tom Lawless, who was infield coach for OKC last year, is serving as interim manager.

Redbirds facing ‘piggy-back' pitchers

In an effort to get more pitchers work during the series against the Redbirds, Oklahoma City has scheduled two starters for every game in a "piggy-back" format.

In Saturday's 6-2 win over the Redbirds, Rudy Owens opened the game with five perfect innings – no hits, no runs, no walks and four strikeouts. Then he gave way to fellow starter Michael Foltynewicz, who earned a hold despite allowing two runs on five hits in three innings.

On Sunday, Jake Buchanan worked just four innings for the RedHawks before giving way to Rhiner Cruz. The Redbirds eventually won 5-4.

OKC has Nick Tropeano and Collin McHugh listed as co-starters for Monday's 7:05 p.m. game, and a pairing of David Martinez and Bobby Doran scheduled to pitch against the Redbirds at 11 a.m. Tuesday.